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Joel Osteen (born March 5, 1963) is an American best-selling author and the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. His ministry reaches over seven million broadcast media viewers weekly in the United States and millions more in over 100 nations around the world.Biography

Born in Houston, Osteen married Victoria L. Iloff on April 4, 1987.[4] They have two children, Jonathan and Alexandra. Joel, son of John and Dodie Osteen, is one of six children. His older siblings, Paul, Lisa, and Tamara, and his younger sister, April, are also involved in full-time ministry.[5] Joel's half-brother Justin does missionary work out of New York] Joel's father, John Osteen, a former Southern Baptist pastor who became Charismatic in the late 1950s, founded Lakewood Church on Mother's Day, 1959 Osteen's father developed Lakewood into a body of approximately 6,000 members with an active television ministry, conferences, missionary support and food distribution.Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church, December 8, 2007

After 17 years with his father, producing the church's television program, Joel succeeded his father on October 3, 1999, as pastor of Lakewood Church. Joel had only preached once in his life, the week before his father's death.[6] Today, Lakewood Church services, led by Pastor Joel Osteen, are seen in over 100 nations around the world.[8] Joel Osteen's first book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, was released in October 2004. In December 2006, he was named one of the year's "Ten Most Fascinating People" by Barbara Walters.[9] Former presidential candidate John McCain has described Osteen as "inspirational".[1]

Currently, Osteen and several Lakewood Church team members travel across the nation, presenting programs in large stadiums. The event, titled "A Night of Hope," includes worship music led by the church's music ministry, a testimony by Joel's mother Dodie and a sermon from Osteen. In 2007, the tour expanded to include stops in several other countries, including Canada, England, Northern Ireland and Israel.[10] Osteen released his second book, titled Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day in October 2007, which also topped the New York Times Best Sellers List with a first printing of three million copies.[11][12] Osteen told Larry King the new book will focus more on relationships and not getting stuck where we are in life. "Just my basic message of becoming all God's created you to be," he added.[13]

Osteen's popularity led to him being featured as one of ABC News' "10 Most Fascinating People of 2006",[14] and was named "Most Influential Christian in America" in 2006 by The Church Report.[15]

Osteen is one of five evangelical leaders featured in the book Holy Mavericks: Evangelical Innovators and the Spiritual Marketplace, co-authored by Tulane University sociologist Shayne Lee and historian Phillip Sinitiere (NYU Press).[edit] Preaching style

Osteen says that he chooses to focus on the goodness of God rather than sin.[16] In answer to questions raised over why he does not include many Bible verses in his books, he says that he sees himself as more of a life coach. Osteen explains that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple way, emphasizing the power of love and a positive attitude.[17] Criticism and controversy

Osteen has received much criticism from many in the Evangelical community. After a 2005 appearance on Larry King Live, he was accused of not clearly affirming that Jesus Christ is the only way a person can reach Heaven. He stated repeatedly that only God knows a person's heart, but that as a believer in the Christian faith he believes in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. [13] In late 2006, Osteen again appeared on Larry King Live and clarified his prior statement, saying he does in fact believe a personal relationship with Christ is the only way to Heaven.Joel and his wife Victoria in 2007

On October 14, 2007, 60 Minutes ran a twelve minute segment on Osteen titled "Joel Osteen Answers his Critics" during which the Reformed theologian Michael Horton can be seen critiquing him. Horton tells the CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts that Osteen's method of teaching is Christian heresy.

On the December 23, 2007, edition of Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace brought up criticisms of Osteen's lack of Scripture reference in his sermons, as well as his hesitancy to discuss sin as an integral part of life. Osteen responded: "And I am ultimately trying to do that, but I'm trying to teach people how to live their everyday lives, and so I do focus on it, probably not as much as some people would like." His sermons and writings are sometimes reproached for their use of the concepts of prosperity theology, or the prosperity gospel, a belief that wealth and power are rewards for pious Christians.